• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

moving to the UK. NHS covers pump supplies? CGMS? Omnipod 5?

payam7777777

payam7777777

Member
Hi everybody.
Happy Auguest!

My nephew (20) is moving to the UK in September to study in Chichester.
He is on Currently Minimed pump and Libre 3.
And will of course be on NHS upon arrival.

Questions:
. Insulin is free with prescription and GP, right?
. Will NHS cover pump infusion sets?
. Will NHS cover CGMS? Be it Libre or Dexcom 1?
. How to begin getting Omnipod 5?

Thank you for your attention.
 
Insulin is covered by NHS prescriptions.
As for CGM and insulin pump supplies, this depends upon local rules but are typically based on NICE guidelines.
I recommend your nephew familiarises himself with the NICE guidelines (these are freely available online) and contact the local Chichester diabetes clinic.
He may also find this information regarding NHS treatment for foreign students: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/guide-nhs-international-students-uk

Bear in mind different pumps are available from different clinics. For example, my clinic decided that OmniPod is too expensive and have decided not to offer this to their patients - they would rather offer pump therapy to more patients with a cheaper pump option.
 
MrsA2 said:
I think that depends on what kind of visa he's on. Eligibility for NHS is not automatic.
Click to expand...
He may have to pay an initial sum to 'join' the NHS. My daughter in-law who is American had to do that when joining my son in the UK. I believe that has to be topped-up each year for 5 years then it's all free
 
MrsA2 said:
I think that depends on what kind of visa he's on. Eligibility for NHS is not automatic.
Click to expand...
yes correct. he will be studying at the universoty. will pay NHS surcharge upon applying for visa. and will be covered under NHS for 3 years.


He has a minimed pump already. I wonder if NHS will cover the infusion sets.
 
Daibell said:
He may have to pay an initial sum to 'join' the NHS. My daughter in-law who is American had to do that when joining my son in the UK. I believe that has to be topped-up each year for 5 years then it's all free
Click to expand...
yes. the NHS surcharge. around 470GPB / year. mandatory for newcomers.

We dont yet know if that covers Infusion sets.

Also we would very much like to see if/how to begin CGMS? It looks like Dexcom 1 is covered under NHS.

And ultimately Omnipod 5 is what we are after. Any help as to how exactly this goal would be achieved?
 
No one here can answer the questions about pump availability as that varies by diabetes clinic. Regarding changing pumps to Omnipod 9r anything else, this is dependent upon the age of the Minimed and whether the warranty is still valid. It is very rare to replace a pump during the warranty period - the NHS does not have the money.
Your best bet is to contact the Chichester endocrine clinic which I assume is at St Richard's hospital.
If you check the NICE guidelines I mentioned above, you will see that people with Type 1 are recommended to be prescribed either the Libre 2 or Dexcom 1 CGMs. The Libre is most common and seems to be part of the post code lottery whether the Dexcom is available.
There are options for other CGMs such as the G7 but these have more criteria to satisfy such as pregnancy which I guess are not relevant for your nephew.
 
payam7777777 said:
yes. the NHS surcharge. around 470GPB / year. mandatory for newcomers.

We dont yet know if that covers Infusion sets.

Also we would very much like to see if/how to begin CGMS? It looks like Dexcom 1 is covered under NHS.

And ultimately Omnipod 5 is what we are after. Any help as to how exactly this goal would be achieved?
Click to expand...
As has been suggested already, nobody here can know exactly what will be available to your nephew, and when.

One thing I would advise, strongly, is that he arrives in UK with a decent supply of insulin and consumables for his current pump. It can take a little time to organise "proper" cover on arrival, and that could get uncomfortable.

A "decent" supply will depend on his specific requirements for insulin, pump consumables and any other medications he might be taking.

On arrival, engaging with a GP and the local clinic should be a priority for him.
 
Back
Top